Skip to Content

Simon Cowell would like to get one thing out of the way: He’s not engaged to Mezhgan Hussainy.

Personal questions aside, the American Idol spoke to reporters yesterday and addressed reports of who might replace him as a judge next season.

“I think they’ll find somebody who’s got that kind of experience, whether it’s a manager, artist, or like me, an A & R executive,” he said.

What about two of the most prominent names being bantered about: Howard Stern and Perez Hilton?

Maddie Poppe Wins American Idol
(ABC)

“I know Howard’s name has been in there for a while, but I’m fairly certain that there hasn’t been an approach at any time for Howard to do the show… He’s played records. He’s a DJ. He obviously wants the job. Good luck to him.”

What about the world’s most self-obsessed celebrity gossip blogger? “Perez would be funny. He’s got a good taste in music, he’s a personality — that could work.”

As for Cowell’s favorites this season, he won’t specify any contestant. But his words make it clear that he’s in the corner of female singers such as Crystal Bowersox and Didi Benami.

“There’s definitely a better chance of a girl winning the show. I’d love to find a Taylor Swift, somebody who’s relevant rather than just a contest winner.”

Ouch. Was that a shot at recent winners David Cook and Kris Allen?